Nine things to keep an eye on

As we head into a critical period of the season, Mark Douglas picks out the key issues to keep an eye on between now and May.

18:41Sean McCormick

El-Mhanni at Show Racism the Red Card event

The NUFC youngster was out in the community this afternoon.

17:28Sean McCormick

NUFC legends turn out at the House of Lords

NUFC Foundation were celebrating their 10th anniversary this afternoon.

16:54Sean McCormick

Luke Shaw factfile

Rafa Benitez is said to be monitoring the Manchester United left-back’s situation.

But what would he bring to Newcastle?

16:31Sean McCormick

McClaren on Mitrovic

And why he needs to be loved to thrive...

16:15Sean McCormick

Rafa on Steven Gerrard and management

Could Stevie G be the latest man to graduate from the Rafa Benitez school of coaching?

16:02Sean McCormick

NUFC wish Gateshead luck

The Heed are one step away from Wembley and the FA Trophy final.

15:51Sean McCormick

Dyer vs Bowyer 2.0?

Shocking scenes in France at the weekend evokes painful memories of one of Newcastle’s darkest days...

15:36Mark Douglas

NUFC players back on the training ground

Players back in training:

14:59Sean McCormick

Mitro needs to be loved

That is the view of Steve McClaren who signed him for Newcastle in 2015.

He told Sky Sports ahead of Fulham’s draw with QPR, he said:

“He came in as a young boy at Newcastle, he needs to be loved, needs to be believed in, trusted, and I think Jokanovic, being Serbian, I think they’ve got that connection and once you get the best out of him, he’s not only a good player outside the box, bringing other players into it, he scores goals.”

Clubs in the lower leagues have shown interest in making the ex-Manchester City midfielder a boss.

And the League One Cod Army are in pole position to snap him up for next season.

John Sheridan was appointed at Highbury Stadium until the end of the campaign to steer them to safety.

But Fleetwood are looking at ALL options as they fear the drop and could give the ex-England midfielder — banned from football almost a year ago — his first steps in management.

13:40Sean McCormick

U23s up for the cup

Newcastle u23s forward Owen Gallacher has been speaking about why the Magpies’s second string are performing so well in cup competitions.

The young Magpies could well win three cup competitions this season and speaking to nufc.co.uk, Gallacher said:

“In all of the cups, we seem to have done pretty well. We’ve got a final in the Northumberland Senior Cup, and we’ve got Porto coming up in the International Cup. I don’t know why it’s happened like that – I think with the run of games we’ve had, playing at stadiums, it’s just a big occasion. I don’t know why we’re not performing as well in the league but hopefully with the games left to come we can use the games in the cup to give us a bit of motivation in the league, as well.”

Owen Gallacher of Newcastle United (Image: Newcastle United)

13:32Mark Douglas

NUFC World Cup representatives

Newcastle’s World Cup representative!

13:25Sean McCormick

Kenedy rated as 19th best player in PL

On current form and according to Sky Sports’ power rankings, Kenedy rates as the 19th best player in the division.

Each player’s performance is assessed by a complex system which analyses 32 different matchday stats.

Every position on the field is awarded a different number of points for various achievements.

Unsurprisingly, Mo Salah tops the rankings.

Kenedy of Newcastle United celebrates (Image: Newcastle United)

13:04Sean McCormick

What Rafa wants to commit to NUFC

Excellent piece from Chris Waugh who outlines what Rafa Benitez wants to commit to the club and how Mike Ashley can deliver it.

12:29Sean McCormick

Newcastle charged by the FA

The Magpies have breached regulations after their u18s wore shirts with sponsor Fun88 on them.

12:15Sean McCormick

Newcastle Foundation celebrations

The Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary at the House of Lords and our man Chris Waugh is there for us.

12:10Sean McCormick

Clark sitting out Ireland training

Hopefully this is nothing to worry about.

12:08Mark Douglas

Victor Fernandez on his NUFC future

Victor Fernandez on his NUFC future.

11:53Mark Douglas

Rafa admits he feels pressure

Love this quote... Rafa Benitez on the pressure he feels:

When you know the fans are against you, it’s not the same passion. When they support me in the way they’re supporting me here, you feel this responsibility. I am really proud of that...

Everybody expects me to be right every time. I’m not, but I try to do my best, to make sure I make less mistakes, to be sure this team will stay up.

I sleep, but I feel this support and I feel this responsibility. Not just for the games and the performances, but every decision.

11:27Mark Douglas

FA spokesman: No comment on possible sanctions

Just checked and no word from the FA on what the possible sanctions for this breach are.

11:19Mark Douglas

The rule NUFC might have broken?

The rule NUFC are alleged to have broken:

In the case of a team comprising players all under the age of 18 years on 31 August in the current season, the appearance on or incorporation in any item of clothing of any reference whatsoever to a product, service or other activity which is considered by The Association as detrimental to the welfare, health or general interest of young persons, or is otherwise considered inappropriate, having regard to the age of the players, is prohibited.

11:07Mark Douglas

FA charge for NUFC

Here’s the FA confirmation:

11:02KEY EVENT

NUFC charged with breach of FA's kit and advertising regulations

Breaking:

Newcastle United have been charged for their Under-18s team wearing football shirts bearing the logo of a betting company, in breach of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations.

The club have until 6pm on 27 March 2018 to respond to the charge.

11:01Mark Douglas

Mitrovic needs to be loved

Mitrovic needs to be loved, says Steve McClaren - his former manager:

He came in as a young boy at Newcastle, he needs to be loved, needs to be believed in, trusted, and I think Jokanovic, being Serbian, I think they’ve got that connection and once you get the best out of him, he’s not only a good player outside the box, bringing other players into it, he scores goals.

Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham (Image: Getty Images Europe)

10:27Mark Douglas

Rafa Benitez: Structural changes required

More from Rafa Benitez:

We have to change things. I came here with the idea to compete and to create a strong team and a strong club, to compete every year. What we have to do if we stay up is improve.

The way Newcastle were doing things before I arrived doesn’t mean they were right, because they were going down. Now we have had the chance to go up we cannot make the same mistakes again.”

When I said I wanted to stay I could see the potential for this club to be in the top 10 or even higher.

To compete and be capable of winning something, you need to have the plan and the process.